4 Changes Will Muschamp Will Bring to the Auburn Defense

AUBURN, Ala. — Will Muschamp is ready to rebuild.

The former Florida head coach was officially introduced Saturday morning as Auburn's new defensive coordinator, marking his second return to the Tigers' staff since the start of his collegiate career.

"Great to be back," Muschamp said in his introductory press conference. "I want to thank Gus for this opportunity to come to Auburn. It's a great place. It's a special place obviously, in the way you treat people and the way you handle your business. Really excited to be back. It's going to be a lot of fun."

His career won't be the only thing Muschamp is looking to rebuild in his return to Auburn.

Things have changed a lot in Auburn since Muschamp left as Tommy Tuberville's defensive coordinator after the 2007 season—and it's more than just the new facilities Muschamp raved about in his opening statement Saturday morning.

Defense was Auburn's strength during his last two tenures, but the Tigers have since had to compete for SEC and national championships in spite of their underwhelming defenses. The 2014 regular season, one that started with title aspirations for the Tigers, was filled with disappointed losses that saw opponents easily crack the 400-yard and 30-point marks.

And that's why head coach Gus Malzahn made the decision to bring Muschamp back—one that reportedly will make him the highest-paid coordinator in the country.

Changes are in the air on the Plains this winter. Here are four that the Tigers will be able to make thanks to Muschamp:  

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Immediate Improvement

Through all the well-documented struggles of Muschamp's time as the head man in Gainesville, his Gators still played standout defense. Since his first full season as Texas' defensive coordinator, Muschamp's defense have greatly outperformed ones from Auburn:

Year	Total Defense under WM (FBS Rank)	Total Defense for AU (FBS Rank)
2014	311.0 (9th)	388.7 (61st)
2013	314.3 (8th)	420.7 (87th)
2012	286.7 (5th)	420.5 (81st)
2011	299.5 (8th)	408.0 (80th)
2010	306.5 (9th)	368.4 (60th)
2009	251.9 (3rd)	374.4 (68th)

"If you look at his track record wherever he’s been, he’s had a top defense," Malzahn said. "He’ll have a chance to evaluate our guys. He has high expectations just like I do. We expect to win and expect to win championships. I’m looking forward to coaching with him."

Muschamp is inheriting a struggling defense that has several leaders returning—he specifically mentioned the return of injured defensive end Carl Lawson in his press conference as a big factor for a "very strong" front seven.

But should Auburn fans expect top-20 success from the first year?

"I would," Muschamp said. "We've been pretty good where we've been, but we've also had a bunch of good players. And that's the bottom line. That's what it comes down to, players."

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Fewer Explosive Plays

Perhaps the most impressive statistics from Muschamp's defenses at Florida are how the Gators were able to prevent big plays.

Florida never fell outside the top 20 in fewest amount of opponent long scrimmage plays—ones that gain more than 10 yards—under Muschamp. 

Auburn, on the other hand, is coming off a season in which it finished No. 90 in that category.

"In our league, and especially this division, you better win on the line of scrimmage, or you won't have a chance," Muschamp said. "And stay away from explosive plays. When they're getting chunk yardage down the field, it's hard to defend and change the vertical field position in the game."

Muschamp said his top priority at Auburn will be forcing any offense to go one-dimensional by becoming a defense that excels in both stopping the run and the pass. After several long seasons of watching opponents hit them for long gains through the air, Auburn now has a defensive coordinator who has a track record of cutting those out tremendously.

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Intense Energy

Before Malzahn's "Boom!" became a trademark in Auburn, there was Muschamp—the original Coach Boom.

Muschamp made a name for himself during his time as an assistant coach for being intense on the field, commanding his swarming defenses on the sidelines and in the locker room with seemingly limitless energy.

"I love his energy," Malzahn said. "I'm an energy guy, too. I really wanted somebody who had great energy and intensity, to have that defense really take on his personality... He’s been on the sideline, and he looks the players in the eye and they play hard for him. He’s got it figured out."

That type of on-field intensity is quite a considerable difference from former defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson, a veteran coach who directed from up in a box during his two years at Auburn.

Muschamp has already brought a new level of excitement and energy from Auburn's fanbase by coming back to the program. Now, he will look to do the same for Auburn's current defensive players.

"I am going to ask the kids every day to give me great effort, a great attitude when they hit the field and great energy," Muschamp said. "Those three things are on you as a player, and we will handle the execution and other stuff as we move forward."

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More Recruiting Firepower

Auburn and Florida might not be the most traditional pair of recruiting rivals, but the two schools have butted heads several times over the last few years with Malzahn and Muschamp going after top players.

This cycle, the decisions for 5-star offensive tackle Martez Ivey—247Sports' new No. 1 overall player nationally in their composite rankings—and 4-star linebacker Jeffrey Holland seem to come down to the Tigers and the Gators.

The head coach whose staff recruited them at Florida is now at Auburn, and Holland has definitely taken notice:

Outside of the state of Florida, Muschamp's hiring should be a boost for Auburn in terms of recruiting, especially in the eyes of several top defensive targets.

"He’s one of the best defensive minds in all of football," Malzahn said. "He’s got a great reputation. The kids love to play for him. The success he’s had is unbelievable. He provides a whole lot."

And while Muschamp will simply monitor Auburn's upcoming bowl practices, he can immediately go to work recruiting and changing the future of the Tigers defense.

In fact, that was on his mind during his introductory press conference Saturday morning.

"As soon as we get done here and walk out that door, we are going [recruiting]," Muschamp said.

All quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. All recruiting rankings and information courtesy of 247Sports. All stats courtesy of cfbstats.com.

Justin Ferguson is Bleacher Report's lead Auburn writer. Follow him on Twitter @JFergusonAU.